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Is this router coping sled design OK ?

3185 Views 67 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  MiniMe, 
M
2
I watched this video (and many others) and this seemed reasonable and easy so I thought I would build it.
In the below picture, highlighted in blue is my base which is 1/4" thick, three layers, birch plywood (relatively flat)
On top of it I have an 11 layers piece of Baltic Pywood (3/4") and two Bessey STC HH70 toggle clamps . The clamps are an overkill for this sled but they are there on a temporary basis I can remove them and use them where I need (they are installed using insert screws)

To me this design has a flaw and that is that if you are using a thin base (to avoid having to lift the bit too much) the clamps will push the base downward and the base will bend or the base will be pushed upward putting pressure on the screws that connect the base of the sled (blue) to the base of the clamps (purple)


Should the base be much thicker ? I did try to adjust the pressure the clamps put on the piece of wood in order to avoid the base bending but it ends up with the wood that you are routing getting lose

My sled is longer but that is because later I plan to get it up to this design

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Rebelwork Woodworking
You are your own foreman in the your shop. When I set up shapers, I always have to:assume the guy running it may be experienced, but sometimes it could be someone for the first time operating a machine.

The reason we always set machines up to be as safe as possible regular does to whom might be operating it that day.

”What if” is the first thing you should ask yourself when setting up a machine..
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M
I agree the jig with a runner is locked down to a degree.
Setting the fence parallel with the miter slot is not a problem, actually the jig helps with that, if I push the fence against the jig I know it will sit parallel with the miter slot and the fence line will traverse the center of the bit.
The problem that you are mentioning appears when the fence need to be way behind the bit. (that is an inland cut to say so and not at the end of the workpiece)
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Rebelwork Woodworking
There are lot of way to run a router table. Use this, move this , cut this, put it back for this,. Etc. Best to just ask before you setup.

Right now I thought the question was about the sled and the miter track..
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Ola C
MiniMe said:
Setting the fence parallel with the miter slot is not a problem, actually the jig helps with that, if I push the fence against the jig I know it will sit parallel with the miter slot and the fence line will traverse the center of the bit.
Click to expand...
That's only for one fence setting. Sometimes it needs to be further back, sometimes further front. It's enough to change bit and use one with slightly different bearing diameter (if using these kind of bits which is quite common for coping sled operstions) to having to move the fence. Can be done using shims or other method but it complicates things a lot having to align the fence parallell to the miter slot.
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Rebelwork Woodworking
Your just going to have to start using it to understand each need..

You will have numerous situations where you won’t need the miter track. Depends on the application..
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M
Ola C said:
That's only for one fence setting. Sometimes it needs to be further back, sometimes further front. It's enough to change bit and use one with slightly different bearing diameter (if using these kind of bits which is quite common for coping sled operstions) to having to move the fence. Can be done using shims or other method but it complicates things a lot having to align the fence parallell to the miter slot.
Click to expand...
True and I agree
I was just looking at the mechanics of a fence adjuster from the back side.
There has to be one like the below one that adjusts both sides in sync.
This might not work for my Bosch router table as it has slots not channel slots
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Ola C
MiniMe said:
True and I agree
I was just looking at the mechanics of a fence adjuster from the back side.
There has to be one like the below one that adjusts both sides in sync.
This might not work for my Bosch router table as it has slots not channel slots
Click to expand...
Yes, my fence for instance;), video below. You should search for router fence micro adjust to get relevant hits and this is what you imo need to run the coping sled with a miter bar without too much hazzle.

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M
Yes something like that but I will let the needs to take me to the moment when I need to buy/build that.
Right now what I built is enough for my needs/skills. I am just a weekend warrior :) hanging out with the pros around here
Thanks for all the advice guys
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